Iceland name Hamren as new coach

Former Sweden coach Erik Hamren was on Wednesday announced as Iceland’s new manager, replacing Heimir Hallgrimsson who stepped down after leading the island nation to its first World Cup in Russia. Selected ahead of 30 other candidates, the 61-year-old now faces the task of taking the team to Euro 2020. ‘I like the challenge and I believe we can do it,’ said Hamren, who has been a coach for more than 25 years at the highest level in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Iceland’s former coach Hallgrimsson, 51, stepped down in July, saying it would be ‘good for the team to have a new vision’. Hamren signed a two-year contract with the possibility of an extension for another two years. Under his leadership, Sweden qualified for Euro 2012 and Euro 2016, but were knocked out in the group stage on both occasions.